Recommendations From Consultation on ACC Employment Premium As required by section 167b of the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act 1992, ACC has completed consultation with premium payers and has recommended to the Minister for Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance changes to be made to the Accident Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance (Employment Premium) Regulations. These recommendations are summarised as follows: Average Premium Rate Reduce the average employment premium rate from $2.61 to $1.70 per $100 of liable earnings, exclusive of G.S.T., for the 1998/99 premium year. Large Employer Premium Develop a framework to introduce large employer premiums in the 1999/2000 premium year. Self-employed Premium Develop a framework to introduce integrated self-employed premiums in the 1999/2000 premium year. Increased Accreditation Period and/or Self-Insurance Develop an expanded accreditation framework comprising a range of options from 8 weeks, 12 months (the status-quo) and 24 months. Draft Premium Risk Groups/Premium Classification Units Bring together all ``pest control'' classification units into premium risk group 130 (Agricultural Services), with an associated premium rate of $2.00; Establish a new classification unit 71111 for ``Retail Postal Services'' within premium risk group 450 (Wholesale and Retail Trade), with an associated premium rate reduction from $3.11 to $0.83; Move the classification units for ``Nursing Bureau'' and ``Blood Bank Operation'' to premium risk group 650 (Health and Community Services), with an associated premium rate reduction from $1.82 to $0.83; Establish a new classification unit for ``Horse and Dog Racing Club Operations'' within premium risk group 680 (Recreational and Cultural Services), with an associated premium rate reduction from $3.74 to $1.19; Move the classification unit for ``Take-away Food Retailing'' to premium risk group 490 (Accommodation and Eating & Drinking Places), with an associated premium rate reduction from $2.51 to $1.37. Copies of the draft regulations are available from ACC, P.O. Box 242, Wellington or telephone Joanne Allan on (04) 460 7367.